Daily Truth Bible Study Acts 6:1-15 part 1

Daily Truth Bible Study Acts 6:1-15 part 1

After reading the text, let’s focus on the first 7 verses. Bear with me for just a moment for a side note. Last week, Golfer Jim Furyk lost $130,000 because he had one-too-many clubs in his golf bag. This mistake of disorganization cost him 4 strokes which changed his final position from 6th to 15th. Why did he have too many clubs in his bag? He and/or his caddie forgot to count before walking onto the first tee. A mistake made because one guy thought the other guy would do it yet no one did. A mistake due to disorganization.

Now to the lesson. In the text we see that the first church is growing rapidly and God is doing great signs and wonders. The twelve are in control of guiding the efforts of the church because they were selected by the Lord Himself. The Bible also tells us that some of their guidance came in direct communication from the Holy Spirit. The twelve are made aware that some who are in need are not receiving the generosity that was being used to feed the needy. This was most likely a mistake from disorganization.

The rapid growth of the church had the area buzzing with activity. The twelve were most likely very busy. What did they do about the problem? The Bible said they realized they needed organization. The twelve were doubtlessly given their marching orders by the Lord. They knew what they were to do each day and things were going undone; therefore, organization and more help were needed.

The twelve summoned the whole group of believers and told them there was more to be done than they alone could do. Others were nominated to serve while the twelve stayed primarily devoted to prayer and the ministry of the word. Everyone agreed this was the way to go and seven people were named to serve the needs of the people.

Plain and simple, right? Well, in our day, not so much. People throughout the ages have run the gamut from no organization for the church to mega-organizational monuments to business plans and org charts. Which plan is correct? Somewhere in the middle. John MacArthur writes in his Commentary for the Book of Acts that the twelve used as much organization as was needed. When more was needed later, they likely added as much but no more than was necessary. Why? God is building the Church. We cannot allow His work to suffer due to lack of organized function and we cannot confine God to a man-determined plan of action that squelches what God is planning to do unbeknownst to us…

What was the result of God building His Church and the twelve following along by correctly handling God’s work? Verse 7 says the word of God spread, the number of disciples to Jesus multiplied greatly, and even some of the priests of the opposition were now obedient to the faith. Enough but not too much; a balance only God can prescribe. May God bless the study of His word. Join me tomorrow for the completion of chapter 6.